What’s it like to be a failure?
For Damon, it meant the end of the world.
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[6 Years Ago, Tondon City]
It was a cold winter evening when, at nineteen years old, he heard the news for the first time.
…
Failure.
…
The week earlier, he had done the Warrior Examination. Things didn’t necessarily go perfectly, but they didn’t go bad either. He had done well, worked well, and tried his hardest. So why that result?
He couldn’t understand.
His final grade was 63%, just two points off the passing requirements, yet it stood as the decisive difference between progress and setback.
It’s alright, he thought to himself before heading to bed later that night. It’s just two percent. I can easily make up that difference with a year’s worth of training. Then, I can conquer the exam.
But things didn’t go to plan.
His grade the following year was 60%. Then in the next year, a 55%.
He was going backwards… and quickly. The gap was getting larger and larger, and it didn’t matter what he did. Year after year, it was the same result.
…
Five.
Five whole years of failure had gone by in the blink of an eye.
In that time, many of his friends had begun the next stages of their lives, leaving him behind in limbo. That realization numbed him. Had he really just allowed all this time to pass with nothing to show for it? He couldn’t accept it.
And that lack of acceptance had consequences.
The world was now a dark place void of opportunities or possibilities… one that didn’t reward those who worked hard.
In that kind of world, what was the point of being a good person? Following rules? Or standing for a good meaning? If, at the end of the day, everything led to failure, it was better to get what you wanted… however you could.
No matter what.
And that’s exactly what Damon decided to do going into last year's Warrior Examination. Things were going to be different. HE had to be different.
…
35%.
That was his final grade last year.
Immediately after opening the letter, he crumpled it into a ball ferociously. The rage he felt could barely be contained. Even after pushing the absolute limits and caring only for himself, success continued to avoid him. Surely, at this point, no amount of effort would work. Maybe, just maybe, it was better to give up.
“And what’s wrong with that?” Sir Alfonso agreed nights later during dinner. “You don’t have to follow in my footsteps. Be your own person and find something you’re truly good at. It’s never too late to pivot. You’re still young.”
…
But that wasn’t what Damon wanted to hear, especially from that person. It only fueled his rage further, solidifying the unfair, cruel nature of the world.
From what I’ve seen, he thought to himself. Only those with talent have been able to find success. These prospects control the world and, with it, its opportunities. For a reject like myself, finding a place amongst them is almost impossible. My age shows that. But nevertheless, that doesn’t mean I’ll just give up. I’ll be the first to overcome the impossible… No matter what it takes.
Filled with desperation and anger, Damon approached year six.
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[Present Day, Warrior Examination Arena]
The final countdown for the last semi-final match began amid an outcry of cheers. The incantation timer quickly reached zero, yet no movement commenced in the arena. Both groups of two instead decided to stay in their areas, much to the crowd’s annoyance.
…
Damon was shaking his head at this development. He had wanted to start on the offensive but was reluctant. After witnessing Hitto’s performance earlier, he knew the threat the boy posed. He was one of those prospects guided by talent, someone he had to be careful of.
“And you…” he sighed at his masked companion. “You haven’t done squat. It’s just been me the whole time. I’ve come this far based solely on my own strength.”
After that last word, the masked person tilted their head up to face him. A brief locking of gazes followed. Realizing the figure wouldn't stop, Damon reluctantly broke eye contact.
“I’m not expecting you to help, so don’t worry. Just sit here and wait. I’ll be done soon.”
…
On the opposite end, Hitto and Nally were in deep discussion.
“It’s basically gonna be a one versus one,” Nally stated, shoving a finger into the air. “That masked person has been inactive from the very beginning, and honestly, my help has been very limited… so it boils down to the two of you.”
“Okay…” Hitto responded. “Regardless, I’m gonna beat him.”
“That’s the plan,” Nally smiled. “And remember, you can at least rely on me for minimal support, which he isn’t gonna receive. If ever I sense an opportunity, we can use that to our advantage to come out on top.”
“Right!” Hitto grinned as his eyes glistened.
…
Look at them. Damon thought to himself, clenching his fists. They have no clue about how unfair and cruel this world is. And because of that, they are able to approach this fight with eagerness and excitement. It pisses me off.
“Girl,” Damon stated calmly, approaching the two of them. “Get off the arena right now, or else I’ll knock you out. And boy. Tell her to cooperate unless you wanna see her in a stretcher.”
“No,” Nally frowned while crossing her arms. “If you want me to leave the arena, then it's going to be by force. I’m here to compete.”
“You heard her,” Hitto grinned while clenching his fists together. “Enough talking its time to –“
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…
In that split second, before he could finish his sentence, a massive gust blew past him. It caught him completely off guard... and, surprisingly, Damon also had a shocked expression.
“What the hell,” the man muttered, completely baffled. “IF YOU COULD DO THAT... WHY DID YOU STAND THE WHOLE TIME!?"
Hitto whipped his head to the side – Nally wasn’t next to him. Alerted, he looked behind where the gust had whooshed by, spotting her knocked off the arena.
How? He stressed to himself. Damon didn’t do anything… so was it that masked person?
His eyes fell onto the individual, who was seemingly looking right back at him. After an odd second or two, the masked person began walking backwards to the edge of the arena stage. Surprisingly, they didn’t break eye contact with Hitto, heightening the boy’s curiosity as they jumped off the stage.
“HITTO IN FRONT OF YOU!” Nally yelled.
The boy shook his head repeatedly for a second, finally registering that he was still in the middle of a fight. Damon already stretched his arms out in the air, preparing for a downward swing with his broadsword. Hitto couldn’t react quickly enough, receiving a massive blow onto his back after failing to dodge.
…
“Did you see that?” Dr. Scale gruffed to an invigilator as he stroked his beard. “Send word to all available invigilators. Stand on high alert and prepare for any and all attacks that masked villain may launch. And Fumie. Prepare an S-class barrier to protect the crowd.”
“S-class!?” the girl fretted. “S-such a high-level Incantation barrier takes forever to set up and is super draining…”
“And?” the doctor glared. “Get to it.”
…
Hitto’s feet wobbled uncontrollably as he felt the slash on his back. The wound stung and gaped, forcing the boy to wince as he stood in a daze. Did they plan that? He thought to himself.
“WHY ARE YOU SO SHOCKED!?” Damon gritted, yelling ferociously. “WERE YOU NOT PREPARED TO FIGHT DESPITE BEING SO TALENTED!?”
He raised his broadsword into the air quickly, followed by another downward strike.
Hitto scurried out of its path by a mere inch as it decimated the arena floor with rubble flying everywhere. He took a moment to breathe, gasping for air and taking a stand as a grin formed on his reddened face.
“You’ll be disqualified if you kill me.”
“And you wouldn’t deserve to advance if you had gotten hit by that… So I don’t give two fucks.”
Damon launched toward him, arms stretched and tensed with veins bulging. He was quick, keeping the boy on his toes and in a defensive position as they skipped around the arena. Each time his blade came close, it was a near-death experience. Hitto had to rely on his pure primal instincts to even stand a chance at avoiding a fatal blow.
“WHAT’S WRONG!?” Damon huffed through clenched teeth. “SHOW ME YOUR TALENT!”
His blade swung down once more, which Hitto, again, dodged. But this time, Damon's spare left arm sent a lightning-fast hook into the former logger’s abdomen. The blow connected cleanly with Hitto gagging and coughing up a storm as he stressed for a breather, which wasn’t coming. Instead, as he collapsed onto the ground, Damon mounted him, proceeding to pummel his stomach uncontrollably.
The crowd watched in awe and horror as Hitto was mercilessly smashed. Each blow echoed fiercely, with everyone anticipating a swift conclusion of the match.
…
But then, Hitto’s stomach expanded uncontrollably, defying all laws as a deformed bulge travelled from his stomach to his chest. Alerted, Damon instinctively paused for a brief moment, locking eyes with the boy and noticing a stark difference in his appearance…
Lifeless.
His pupils, enveloped in red, showed no signs of a soul. Damon shot up quickly and just in time, too, as the bulge reached Hitto’s throat, forcing its way to his mouth as a ferocious blaze of fire roared from his lips. The blast forced Damon to unmount, taking a few paces back to recollect himself.
Seemingly unaffected, the boy took a stand. Damon shuddered slightly as their gazes locked. The boy's eyes leaked with blood, yet his face and gaze remained indifferent. What the fuck. The large man thought to himself with a chuckle.
“SO, THIS IS WHAT YOU SEND MY WAY THIS YEAR? HUH?” he cried out hysterically. “YOU’RE SENDING A PSYCHO!? IT DOESN’T MATTER,” he yelled. His eyes twitched slightly as he felt the hilt of his blade. “I’LL PREVAIL NO MATTER WHAT COMES MY WAY.”
He launched forward once more with his blade outstretched. Hitto did the same, charging toward his foe.
As the boy came into reach, Damon swung his blade down with all his might. His eyes blanked as he bit his lips, using all his raw strength for a decisive blow. Surprisingly, the boy did not budge. With no time to back out, Damon’s blade connected with his shoulder as a gust enveloped the two fighters.
Hitto stood. His body was unaffected by the broadsword, which failed to pierce his flesh. Damon’s expression darkened as his face filled with bewilderment. The boy placed a single hand on the large blade, still unaffected by its sharpness. He then lifted it up with ease before yanking it – and Damon, toward him.
With his spare arm, Hitto formed a fist and cocked it back. Damon barely resisted as an explosive blow smashed him right into the face, with fire and embers crackling everywhere as he flew back from the impact, crashing into the arena.
“What’s wrong with that?” his head rang amidst his angst. “It’s never too late to pivot. You’re still young.”
Damon staggered onto his feet with heavy, buckling knees. Tears that he willfully ignored streamed from his eyes, staining his cheeks. He located his sword, which he had let go of due to Hitto’s earlier attack. It lay at his foe’s feet, firmly out of reach.
Alright… he sighed. What can I do to salvage this?
He had no time to think.
Hitto charged toward him within seconds with an outstretched arm, ready to punch. Instinctively, Damon threw his hands into a defensive position to soften what was still an explosive blow. The earlier intensity of the fight returned, yet this time, he was on the receiving end. He was forced to stay on his toes and accept the burn damage when necessary to protect himself. Hitto, however, was relentless, maintaining the pursuit.
…
“W-wow,” Fumie exclaimed as she finished the last of the barrier set up. She was drowned in sweat, failing to even stand as a result of her earlier exertion. “I-I didn’t expect that boy to turn the tides like this. Damon really should start thinking up what Incantations he can use to counter.”
“Incantations?” Dr. Scale chuckled with a slightly amused tone. “He has no affinity for any. The only thing he has is a basic Muscle Enhancement Divine Art. That boy is talentless.”
“R-Really!?” Fumie questioned while scratching her head. “I had no clue…”
“You competed against him in your exam just two years ago, did you not?” the doctor sighed. “Well, whatever. Just focus your effort on maintaining the barrier.”
…
Another explosion of fire erupted from Hitto’s fists, slightly scorching Damon’s face as the latter barely managed to dodge. In these circumstances, it was becoming difficult even to breathe as dense smoke clogged the air around the boy. This was made ten times worse because Damon was already exhausted and had no control over his breathing pattern. Fits of coughs escaped his lungs repeatedly as he struggled to gain distance from his foe.
By now, his only advantage was knowing the boy’s attack pattern. It was quite simple – a heavy focus on closing in to engage in close-quarter combat where the smoke was most lethal.
I need to keep my distance, ... he thought as Hitto closed the space again within seconds.
This time, however, Damon chose to duck and lay low where the smoke was least dense. The strategy worked, allowing him to gain footing as he ran past his foe, ready for the next rally.
Once again, Hitto paced towards him ferociously, and Damon ducked – receiving a knee to the face that erupted into fearsome flames upon impact. Unlike any attack earlier, this one was most devastating, with roaring flames lasting a whole minute before finally subsiding. Damon was sent hurling back with no sensation at all in his blackened, scorched face.
As he struggled onto his feet, he realized a demoralizing fact: he couldn’t open his eyes at all. What happened!? He thought to himself as his heart sank deeply in his chest. He was struggling to breathe and maintain consciousness, staggering back and forth before succumbing and falling to his knees.
…
“A third-degree burn…” Dr. Scale muttered to his attendants. “And a severe one at that. All the nerves in his face are most likely destroyed, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he suffers severe brain damage that even the Healers Guild can’t fix… call off the fight immediately. It’s Hitto’s win.”
“Yes sir!” an invigilator stated, phasing onto the arena immediately with two others. They instantly detained Hitto, locking his arms and legs with quickly casted binding Incantations. Much to their surprise, the boy put up no resistance. Another invigilator then appeared beside Damon, grabbing the defeated man and phasing out of view. After that all occurred, the earlier invigilator stepped forward and yelled. “The match is over! Hitto is the victor!”
The crowd immediately erupted into cheers and applauses…
But then, that same gust from earlier smashed its way through the arena and toward the invigilators, muting the cheers. A massive explosion occurred in the middle, and smoke erupted everywhere in its wake as debris smashed into the barrier Fumie had erected.
Alerted, Dr. Scale instantly located the voice amplifier and held it to his trembling lips. "Everyone, remain calm and follow evacuation procedures. The situation is under control."
The invigilators stationed in the audience instantly began filing people out of the stadium through the back exits in an organized manner. Within minutes, most of the crowd was safely evacuated.
Noticing this, Dr. Scale finally stood down from the podium and approached the arena. He was joined by Snowl and Fumie, who eagerly waited for the smoke to subside. That, however, did not happen. Instead, two figures erupted from the middle of the stage and into the air as intense blows decimated the light fixtures, sending them crashing into the ground as they blitzed through the air.
Fumie instantly took off into the smoke while Dr. Scale and Snowl observed the fight above them. It appeared even, but soon, one gained the advantage, grabbing hold of the other in a stranglehold.
Seeing this, Dr. Scale turned to face Snowl once more and gave a confirming nod. The Head Knight then crouched before propelling himself up and over toward the two combatants. As he approached, the two figures became clear. It was the masked figure and Hitto, with the latter stuck in the hold.
...
“Let go,” Snowl demanded, almost within reach.
The masked figure did not respond. Instead, they raised one hand into the air, stretching all their fingertips into a makeshift blade.
Then, with insane speed, they retracted the arm quickly before jabbing it straight through Hittos chest. Blood splattered everywhere as the arm grotesquely tore its way through the boy.